Read Proverbs 3:1-8
Context: Proverbs 2 discusses the moral benefits of wisdom, which is continued through chapter 3 (well, to be honest, it's continued through the whole book of Proverbs!).
Text:
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths
taken from www.biblegateway.com
A friend of mine challenged several women to choose a 'theme verse' for this year, and I selected Proverbs 3:5-6. I'm beginning to think that it will take the rest of my life to fully understand the reality of these verses.
It sounds so easy to say 'Trust with all your heart,' and why wouldn't I want to do that? But as soon as I think I'm on the right track something happens that proves yet again that God's ways are not my ways. I want to fall right back on what I think I know about a situation or a person, trying to reason and problem-solve based on my limited experiences and perspective on the world.
In the midst of crisis (either in my life or the lives of others I want to support), it is easy to second guess God and wonder how He could ever allow this suffering. I don't want to pretend to have a clue about why bad things happen to good people, but I want to be able to skip over those doubts and fears and just trust Him to know and do what is best. I'm really pleased that I eventually get to that point, but it definitely isn't my first response to bad news.
So if anyone has gotten good at quieting that human voice in your head so that you can better hear God's spirit, please teach me!!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
June 11 - Just STOP
Read Psalm 46
Context: According to my NIV Study Bible, this song was a celebration of Jerusalem's security as the city of God. It was most likely written before the exile to Babylon, but it remained a song of hope and celebration for the Israelites. This is the song that inspired Martin Luther's hymn, 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God'.
Text:
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah (NIV)
Footnotes:
Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
Psalm 46:9 Or chariots
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The beginning of this Psalm is one of those marvelous passages that almost make your heart swell...no matter how your world falls apart, God is there and he is ever present to help us. Most crises feel like the world is falling out from under us, and this gives a great word picture of God holding us in his arms like children, sweeping us up at the last possible moment as the world falls away.
At the end of the Psalm we see the very familiar, "Be still, and know that I am God." According to the Hebrew words that were originally used, this statement probably means "Enough" in the sense that we should stop what we are doing and know His power.
With two seven year old boys, this has been a familar statement in our house. They egg each other on and never seem to quit, voices and pushing escalating until one of us has to shout "Enough" or "Stop" to keep them from hurting each other (or making us crazy).
I think God does this to us, too...we worry about our crises in our minds so much that our thoughts get out of control. God has to step in and tell us, "Enough." In the busyness of our minds we lose our handle on reality and He has to remind us that He is in control and He WILL be exalted by all the Earth, regardless of what craziness we are in. I wish I would remember this before He has to shout at me to get my attention!
Context: According to my NIV Study Bible, this song was a celebration of Jerusalem's security as the city of God. It was most likely written before the exile to Babylon, but it remained a song of hope and celebration for the Israelites. This is the song that inspired Martin Luther's hymn, 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God'.
Text:
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah (NIV)
Footnotes:
Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
Psalm 46:9 Or chariots
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The beginning of this Psalm is one of those marvelous passages that almost make your heart swell...no matter how your world falls apart, God is there and he is ever present to help us. Most crises feel like the world is falling out from under us, and this gives a great word picture of God holding us in his arms like children, sweeping us up at the last possible moment as the world falls away.
At the end of the Psalm we see the very familiar, "Be still, and know that I am God." According to the Hebrew words that were originally used, this statement probably means "Enough" in the sense that we should stop what we are doing and know His power.
With two seven year old boys, this has been a familar statement in our house. They egg each other on and never seem to quit, voices and pushing escalating until one of us has to shout "Enough" or "Stop" to keep them from hurting each other (or making us crazy).
I think God does this to us, too...we worry about our crises in our minds so much that our thoughts get out of control. God has to step in and tell us, "Enough." In the busyness of our minds we lose our handle on reality and He has to remind us that He is in control and He WILL be exalted by all the Earth, regardless of what craziness we are in. I wish I would remember this before He has to shout at me to get my attention!
Friday, June 8, 2007
June 8 - Feel Free to Cry
Read John 11:17-35
Context: Jesus had been told that his friend Lazarus was very ill, and he planned to visit so that Lazarus could be healed. However, for the sake of God's glory, he waited two more days before making the day long trip to Bethany.
Text:
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[b] the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.
35Jesus wept. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
Even thought he knew that the outcome of this situation would be miraculous, Jesus was still moved to tears by the pain of his friends. He could have chided them for their disbelief or he could have told them gently not to cry because everything would be ok. He could have even gotten defensive when they tried to place the blame on him, since 'if (he) had been (there) my brother would not have died." He could easily have retorted that everyone expected him to fix everything.
Instead he pushed his knowledge and selfish and defensive feelings aside (well, he might not have had those selfish or defensive feelings, but I know I would have!). Instead he looked at others and allowed himself to be vulnerable to their pain and loss.
Often times we try to be stoic in the face of others difficulties. Sometimes the best comfort for others is to see that you, too, hurt because of the situation.
Context: Jesus had been told that his friend Lazarus was very ill, and he planned to visit so that Lazarus could be healed. However, for the sake of God's glory, he waited two more days before making the day long trip to Bethany.
Text:
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[b] the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.
35Jesus wept. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
Even thought he knew that the outcome of this situation would be miraculous, Jesus was still moved to tears by the pain of his friends. He could have chided them for their disbelief or he could have told them gently not to cry because everything would be ok. He could have even gotten defensive when they tried to place the blame on him, since 'if (he) had been (there) my brother would not have died." He could easily have retorted that everyone expected him to fix everything.
Instead he pushed his knowledge and selfish and defensive feelings aside (well, he might not have had those selfish or defensive feelings, but I know I would have!). Instead he looked at others and allowed himself to be vulnerable to their pain and loss.
Often times we try to be stoic in the face of others difficulties. Sometimes the best comfort for others is to see that you, too, hurt because of the situation.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
June 7 - Initiative In Time of Need
Read Luke 7:11-16
Context: Jesus has just been in Capernaum and a centurion soldier had asked him to heal the soldiers' servant. The faith of this Roman centurion was so great that he knew Jesus could perform this miracle verbally, without even going to the house to touch the servant. Jesus had been amazed at his faith.
Text:
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Many of the miracles in the Bible involve a specific request for help or healing by either those who are afflicted or their friends/relatives. In this instance, Jesus was 'just' walking by and his heart was filled with compassion. Interesting that this 'coincidence' is the only time the tiny town of Nain is mentioned in the Bible...
Our modern day funerals are quite a bit different than those of Jesus' day, but we still carry our dead respectfully to their resting place. Think of the last funeral you have attended...my last one was for Maddie Bayer, a seven year old girl who died of cancer. Could you imagine if a relative stranger walked up to the parents, stopped the procession, and reached out to touch the child? Some might get indignant at his audacity, others would be struck silent by the turn of events from the norm...remember, it was against Jewish law to touch the dead.
But Jesus wasn't concerned with what others thought, or even the law. He knew that a widow in those days relied solely on the kindness of her sons for sustenance as she aged, and without her only child she was destined to a life of need. Without having to ask what he could do to help, he jumped right in and took care of her needs.
While we can't bring others back to life, or even heal them, we can look at a situation and determine what others need. Many people in time of crisis have trouble thinking of specific ways people could help when asked, and they don't like to impose. Yet we can jump right in, just like Jesus, and bring them meals, cut their grass, offer to watch their children, provide gas or food gift cards, and many other things.
Look around you today...whom can you help?
Context: Jesus has just been in Capernaum and a centurion soldier had asked him to heal the soldiers' servant. The faith of this Roman centurion was so great that he knew Jesus could perform this miracle verbally, without even going to the house to touch the servant. Jesus had been amazed at his faith.
Text:
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Many of the miracles in the Bible involve a specific request for help or healing by either those who are afflicted or their friends/relatives. In this instance, Jesus was 'just' walking by and his heart was filled with compassion. Interesting that this 'coincidence' is the only time the tiny town of Nain is mentioned in the Bible...
Our modern day funerals are quite a bit different than those of Jesus' day, but we still carry our dead respectfully to their resting place. Think of the last funeral you have attended...my last one was for Maddie Bayer, a seven year old girl who died of cancer. Could you imagine if a relative stranger walked up to the parents, stopped the procession, and reached out to touch the child? Some might get indignant at his audacity, others would be struck silent by the turn of events from the norm...remember, it was against Jewish law to touch the dead.
But Jesus wasn't concerned with what others thought, or even the law. He knew that a widow in those days relied solely on the kindness of her sons for sustenance as she aged, and without her only child she was destined to a life of need. Without having to ask what he could do to help, he jumped right in and took care of her needs.
While we can't bring others back to life, or even heal them, we can look at a situation and determine what others need. Many people in time of crisis have trouble thinking of specific ways people could help when asked, and they don't like to impose. Yet we can jump right in, just like Jesus, and bring them meals, cut their grass, offer to watch their children, provide gas or food gift cards, and many other things.
Look around you today...whom can you help?
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
June 6 - God's Plan for the Future
Read Jeremiah 29:10 - 14
Context: After many years of unfaithfulness and evil-doing, God has allowed the Babylonians to conquer the cities of Israel and to kill or capture the people. Jeremiah is writing this letter to the survivors who were exiled to Babylon. He tells them to settle down, have children, and to pray that the city prospers so they, too, can prosper.
Text:
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Jeremiah 29:14 Or will restore your fortunes
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I often wish that God would send me a letter outlining the actions I should take whenever there is a decision to be made. However, I'm not really sure if this is the type of letter I'd want...can you imagine waiting for anything for seventy years?
Yet the letter did bring good news. It allowed the people to settle in and start living their lives anew without wondering if they should escape or fight for release. Many of them knew they would not see their homeland again, but they could share their stories and their heritage with children who would one day return.
Would it help you if God let you know how long your troubles would last? Some days it would be nice to know that they will end, yet most likely his truth is that the trouble will last much longer than you think you can bear. In most cases I think I'd rather take it day to day.
As we seek to comfort others who are going through difficult times, it is tempting to say that things will get better. Yet we don't know the exact circumstances and we aren't able to prophesy God's plan. All we can do is provide God's message of hope...that he loves us and that he has our best interest, his plans to give us hope and a future, in mind.
Verse 11 is terrific to cling to in times of trouble. There are many ways that you can share it with those who need comfort. You can find it printed on coffee cups, desk sets, and book marks that will help keep it in front of someone who might not be quite ready to hear it yet. It is also a key verse in many Christian novels that provide comfort. Be creative in how you share this verse so it will be available at the time the hurting person needs it most.
Context: After many years of unfaithfulness and evil-doing, God has allowed the Babylonians to conquer the cities of Israel and to kill or capture the people. Jeremiah is writing this letter to the survivors who were exiled to Babylon. He tells them to settle down, have children, and to pray that the city prospers so they, too, can prosper.
Text:
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Jeremiah 29:14 Or will restore your fortunes
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I often wish that God would send me a letter outlining the actions I should take whenever there is a decision to be made. However, I'm not really sure if this is the type of letter I'd want...can you imagine waiting for anything for seventy years?
Yet the letter did bring good news. It allowed the people to settle in and start living their lives anew without wondering if they should escape or fight for release. Many of them knew they would not see their homeland again, but they could share their stories and their heritage with children who would one day return.
Would it help you if God let you know how long your troubles would last? Some days it would be nice to know that they will end, yet most likely his truth is that the trouble will last much longer than you think you can bear. In most cases I think I'd rather take it day to day.
As we seek to comfort others who are going through difficult times, it is tempting to say that things will get better. Yet we don't know the exact circumstances and we aren't able to prophesy God's plan. All we can do is provide God's message of hope...that he loves us and that he has our best interest, his plans to give us hope and a future, in mind.
Verse 11 is terrific to cling to in times of trouble. There are many ways that you can share it with those who need comfort. You can find it printed on coffee cups, desk sets, and book marks that will help keep it in front of someone who might not be quite ready to hear it yet. It is also a key verse in many Christian novels that provide comfort. Be creative in how you share this verse so it will be available at the time the hurting person needs it most.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
June 5 - Do You Believe God?
Read Romans 8:28-39
Context: Paul has been talking about how the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness by knowing what we need and interceding for us when we are unable to express our own needs.
Text:
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[c]
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[d] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Romans 8:28 Some manuscripts And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God
Romans 8:28 Or works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers
taken from www.biblegateway.com
After a passage like this I just want to jump up and say 'Go God!' He is so awesome and amazing and yet most days, even most of each day, I merrily go on my own way and forget to acknowledge that fact.
I know you have heard this passage before, probably many times, but do you actually believe God is working for the good of those who love him? We read it to ourselves and quote it to others in times of trouble, but unless we truly believe that God is at work in every instance of our lives we are just being 'clanging cymbals' whenever we recite it.
Because we live in a fallen world, I imagine that you can look at yourself and those around you and find at least one person in the midst of a crisis. Even if you can't see him, God is at work in that situation. Your confidence in that fact is one of the best things you can give to others during their times of trial. Saying these words may not be a comfort at the time, but your strength and attitude toward the situation will speak at a level that matches your conviction. Paul was convinced that NOTHING could separate us from God, and that brought him and others through incredible tribulations.
So the challenge today is to look inside and examine your heart. Do you really believe God does what he promises? Or are you desperately hoping that it is true...there is a difference that will show up when you try to comfort others.
Context: Paul has been talking about how the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness by knowing what we need and interceding for us when we are unable to express our own needs.
Text:
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[c]
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[d] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Romans 8:28 Some manuscripts And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God
Romans 8:28 Or works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers
taken from www.biblegateway.com
After a passage like this I just want to jump up and say 'Go God!' He is so awesome and amazing and yet most days, even most of each day, I merrily go on my own way and forget to acknowledge that fact.
I know you have heard this passage before, probably many times, but do you actually believe God is working for the good of those who love him? We read it to ourselves and quote it to others in times of trouble, but unless we truly believe that God is at work in every instance of our lives we are just being 'clanging cymbals' whenever we recite it.
Because we live in a fallen world, I imagine that you can look at yourself and those around you and find at least one person in the midst of a crisis. Even if you can't see him, God is at work in that situation. Your confidence in that fact is one of the best things you can give to others during their times of trial. Saying these words may not be a comfort at the time, but your strength and attitude toward the situation will speak at a level that matches your conviction. Paul was convinced that NOTHING could separate us from God, and that brought him and others through incredible tribulations.
So the challenge today is to look inside and examine your heart. Do you really believe God does what he promises? Or are you desperately hoping that it is true...there is a difference that will show up when you try to comfort others.
Monday, June 4, 2007
June 4 - Bless Others Through Your Crisis
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Context: Beginning of Paul's letter to the Corinthians who had been infiltrated by false teachers who challenged both Paul's personal integrity and his authority as an apostle (NIV Study Bible)
Text:
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Whenever I read this verse I find it hopeful. Maybe whatever thing I'm going through at the time has a purpose -- so I can be helpful to someone else in the future. That doesn't always kick me out of a pity party, but at least it allows me to find some reason for a difficult situation in a world that doesn't make much sense. But yesterday as we read this verse out loud, I noticed verse 6, "if we are distressed it is for your comfort and salvation, if we are comforted it is for your comfort."
Do you see that any trial Paul went through and any comfort he received were BOTH for the comfort of others? In any difficulty we face we have the opportunity to comfort others - in the moment, not years down the road.
How can you comfort others when you are in crisis? Think back to a time when you were able to do something tangible for another person who was having trouble. You may have taken food to a family with a newborn or who had undergone surgery. Or perhaps you helped someone move or deal with a financial crisis. Maybe you gave a hug and an encouraging word at just the right time. Most likely, while you were helping out you also received a blessing. Not from a perspective of 'gee, aren't I great for helping out', but from knowing that you were able to make a difference for someone else at a difficult time.
Most of us want to be strong through crisis and handle everything ourselves, but God wants to provide comfort to us and to those who want to help us. So don't only help others when they are in crisis, but accept help yourself when you are in crisis. By saying 'yes' to an offer of help instead of saying 'thanks, but we're fine', you may be allowing God to comfort you and the person who offers you help!
Context: Beginning of Paul's letter to the Corinthians who had been infiltrated by false teachers who challenged both Paul's personal integrity and his authority as an apostle (NIV Study Bible)
Text:
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Whenever I read this verse I find it hopeful. Maybe whatever thing I'm going through at the time has a purpose -- so I can be helpful to someone else in the future. That doesn't always kick me out of a pity party, but at least it allows me to find some reason for a difficult situation in a world that doesn't make much sense. But yesterday as we read this verse out loud, I noticed verse 6, "if we are distressed it is for your comfort and salvation, if we are comforted it is for your comfort."
Do you see that any trial Paul went through and any comfort he received were BOTH for the comfort of others? In any difficulty we face we have the opportunity to comfort others - in the moment, not years down the road.
How can you comfort others when you are in crisis? Think back to a time when you were able to do something tangible for another person who was having trouble. You may have taken food to a family with a newborn or who had undergone surgery. Or perhaps you helped someone move or deal with a financial crisis. Maybe you gave a hug and an encouraging word at just the right time. Most likely, while you were helping out you also received a blessing. Not from a perspective of 'gee, aren't I great for helping out', but from knowing that you were able to make a difference for someone else at a difficult time.
Most of us want to be strong through crisis and handle everything ourselves, but God wants to provide comfort to us and to those who want to help us. So don't only help others when they are in crisis, but accept help yourself when you are in crisis. By saying 'yes' to an offer of help instead of saying 'thanks, but we're fine', you may be allowing God to comfort you and the person who offers you help!
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